Amphetamines, sometimes called "speed" or "uppers," are central nervous system stimulant drugs that increase alertness, self-confidence and concentration, and decrease appetite while creating a feeling of increased energy. The chemical structure is similar to the naturally occurring adrenaline and noradrenaline that is produced by the body. The effects of amphetamines are similar to cocaine, but last longer.
Amphetamines, such as Benzedrine, Adderall, and Dexedrine, are sometimes prescribed for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
While amphetamines create the illusion of improved energy and sports performance, they do not actually help an athlete perform better. They tend to distort an athlete’s judgment and perception of his performance to the point where he thinks he is doing better than can be objectively measured. He may even play injured and ignore injury warning signs.
Side Effects of Amphetamines
Potential short-term side effects of amphetamines include:- headaches
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- insomnia
- weight loss
- hallucinations
- convulsions
- heart rhythm abnormalities
- heart attack
Long-term use of amphetamines can result in an increase tolerance for the drugs and the need to continually take more for the same effect. It’s not uncommon for athletes to become dependent on the drug and have difficulty withdrawing from amphetamines. Sudden withdrawal can cause depression, weakness and extreme fatigue. Long-term use of amphetamines can result in:
- uncontrollable movements of the face
- paranoid delusions
- nerve damage
- irritability
- insomnia
- confusion
- tremors
- anxiety
- irregular heartbeat
- dizziness
- hypertension
Use in Sports
Despite all these side effects, many athletes continue to falsely believe that amphetamines will provide a performance advantage and continue to use them. The majority of the research on amphetamine use and sports performance shows that taking amphetamines prior to an event has no benefit. It simply makes an athlete feel they are performing better, but in fact they often performance at a lower level than without the drug.
Furthermore, nearly all forms of amphetamines are on the banned substance list of most, if not all, sports organizations.
Source
Trends in prescription drug abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIH Publication Number 05-4881
Printed July 2001, Revised August 2005
Bohn AM, Khodaee M, Schwenk TL., Ephedrine and other stimulants as ergogenic aids.
Current Sports Medicine Report. 2003 Aug;2(4):220-5.
MEDLINEplus, Dextroamphetamine Patient Information.
